CVE-2007-3375 in File Archiver
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Lhaca File Archiver before 1.21 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted LZH archive, as exploited by malware such as Trojan.Lhdropper.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3375 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the Lhaca File Archiver software version 1.20 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the handling of LZH archive files, which are compressed file formats commonly used for data archiving and compression. The flaw enables malicious actors to craft specially designed LZH archive files that, when processed by the vulnerable software, trigger unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through user-assisted attacks, meaning that an attacker does not need to directly interact with the target system but can instead rely on a user opening a malicious archive file. This attack vector aligns with the tactics described in the attack tree framework where initial access is achieved through social engineering or other means that lead to user interaction with compromised files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the decompression process of LZH archives. When the Lhaca File Archiver processes a crafted LZH file, it fails to validate the size of data being read into a fixed-size stack buffer, allowing an attacker to overflow the buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents one of the most common and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in the context of memory corruption attacks. The overflow can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as demonstrated by the real-world exploitation through malware such as Trojan.Lhdropper. This malware specifically targeted the vulnerability to create backdoors and establish persistent access to compromised systems. The exploitation process typically involves crafting LZH archives that contain malicious payloads designed to exploit the buffer overflow during decompression. The attack chain follows standard exploitation patterns where the initial compromise occurs through user interaction with malicious files, followed by privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be deployed in mass distribution campaigns where users unknowingly download and execute malicious files from untrusted sources, making them effective for large-scale malware distribution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3375 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most direct solution involves upgrading to Lhaca File Archiver version 1.21 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory validation mechanisms that prevent the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted archive processing software, particularly in environments where users may encounter unverified files. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to detect and block traffic patterns associated with malicious LZH file delivery. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the dangers of opening archive files from unknown or untrusted sources, as this vulnerability relies heavily on social engineering aspects for successful exploitation. The vulnerability's characteristics align with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to execution through archive files and privilege escalation through memory corruption. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for processing untrusted archive files, which can contain the potential damage from exploitation attempts while allowing normal file operations to continue safely.